The photograph titled “Gas Station” is a work by artist Walker Evans, taken in Reedsville, West Virginia. It captures the essence of a bygone era in American history with its storefronts and signage indicative of the time period.
In this black and white photograph, we see a rural gas station scene dominated by signs of Americana. In the foreground, a wooden utility pole embedded with metal staples stands prominently, bearing a round “Public Bell System Telephone” sign at its top. Slightly further back and to the right, the main subject of the photo, a gas station, identified by a large sign with “Gibson Motor Co.” and “American Gas” written on it, is visible. The architecture appears to be simple and utilitarian, typical of mid-20th-century rural American buildings. There are several pumps in front of the gas station, and across the top of the building, various automobile-related advertisements can be seen. To the right of the station is another building with similarly styled architecture and signage, contributing to the vintage small-town atmosphere this photo conveys.
